Henry Coe:

Henry Coe State Park has a few qualities that make it a stellar backpacking destination for the bay area. You can backcountry camp (camp anywhere that strikes your fancy) as well as designated site camp, you can walk in at any time, it’s close to the city (2 hours from SF depending on traffic), there are plenty of new options for you to explore each new time you go, AND the rangers are nice.

There are plenty of resources for information regarding Henry Coe but here are some more.

The drive up to the trailhead is narrow and windy — best if you don’t bring a huge truck.

If you want to car camp or camp with your dog, you can camp at the trailhead. However, you will need to book these in advance, because there are only around 10 camping spots here. There will also be very little privacy since all the sites are open and near each other. Everywhere else, dogs are not allowed.

Buy a map. Sold either online or at the ranger station, the $10 map comes in handy since the park is not particularly well marked. Out east you can head to Hoover lake, passing a few designated campsites. Past the campsites, you need to depend on your compass and map to figure out where you are headed for true backcountry camping. If you’re not sure where to go, the rangers will be able to provide great suggestions depending on your fitness and schedule.

During the winter months the water tanks are most likely going to be empty, and the nearby creeks, too. The lakes will probably still have water but they tend to be far, so make sure to pack a lot of water and check if the tanks are full before you head out.

The park is a good mix of wooded areas and open plain fields, but I didn’t see a whole lot of trees that looked good for hammock camping. Here, I’d recommend sticking to a tent just in case.